Women In The Pulpit

As the world turns, it seems that we should be getting wiser and more in tuned to our Creator. As good as that may sound, it seems to be far from what we are witnessing today. This is because many individuals are continuously choosing to follow their selfish desires and or philosophies of man rather than the true Word of God. This is one of the main reasons why there is some confusion among many Believers reference interpretations of the Word of God. Obedience, and a true relationship with God along with knowing who He is will help in understanding many things as well as why women should be or shouldn’t be in the pulpit.

Sadly, many have forgotten Who created and allows the world to turn. Yahweh>=<God!!! God is the greatest (John 10:28)! God is the highest (Psalm 113)! God is most powerful (Jeremiah 10:12)! God is the only Spiritual Father (Matthew 23:9)! God sits high and looks low (Isaiah 66:1)! God is our Savior (Isaiah 43:11)! God is clear, precise, and deliberate in all that He does! God has no limits! Only a fool would suggest a limit on He that created the heavens and the Earth.

Why such a focus on God but the title of this article suggests a focus on women in the pulpit? Well, women came from God as did men so in order to understand why women should or shouldn’t be in the pulpit there first has to be a focus on the Creator that has no limits. We were created in His image. The word image is defined as a representation of the external form of a person or thing in art. We are a representation of God and when we are born again we are in Him thus limitless too.

*Before you go any further please research the word “דָםאָ”. The meaning of that Hebrew word is mankind. The Greek word anthropus means people, mankind, and or human-being and it derived from “דָםאָ”. Then later in most translations today it became to be men, he, brethren, or him in specific locations. That translation transition is ignored but very important to the title of this article but will require self-studying with the Holy Spirit for individual Believers.

“Study to show thyself approved before God”

Now let’s look into the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to open doors of understanding and direction reference women in the pulpit. Of special note is the fact that all Believers must lean on what the Word says not man’s philosophies.

As mentioned in Genesis 1:27, God created male and female in His image. He created us to reflect Him which is also why He sent Christ Jesus.

He wanted us to see what Right looks like in human form instead following the agendas, philosophies, and limited powers of man. God is most powerful thus not limited and as we are in Him thus we are limited if He chooses to limit us. Christ said we shall do greater works which means we are going to do more than the normal. Listed below are verses that show man and woman having divine access to be and do more than the normal.

Hebrews 10:19-21 - Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God.

John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Acts 1:8 - But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Galatians 3:26-27 - For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on

Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

John 14:12-14 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Ephesians 3:20-21 - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen

Those verses show the power of God and our Holy access to His power. He who has access is no longer less but powerful in God. In reading the previous mentioned verses, not man’s philosophies, we have seen enough truth that highlights that male and female can do practically anything so as it aligns with God’s Word. God’s Word say’s that we can!!! We meaning male and female!!! We are capable and able. There are many women in the Bible that have shown that they are as capable as men in the works for God. Here are a few women that played critical roles in answering the question of should women be allowed in the pulpit.

Rachel: Genesis 29:9, While he was still talking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherd.

Deborah: Judges 4:4, Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time.

Esther: Book of Esther

Lady Elect: 2 John

Since Rachel was a shepherd, women have the ability to lead a flock as also seen in male shepherds that imitated the Great Shepherd, Christ Jesus. The Lady Elect and Deborah led men of God! Esther committed to sacrificing her life for the nation of Israel. There were most likely other women that God used to lead too but the previous mentioned women stand out the most. There were other great women such as the ones that walked with Christ Jesus and the Apostle Paul. All of them played significant roles for the Kingdom of God. Of note is the fact that God chose women to have the opportunity to be the first Believers and the first evangelists of Christ Jesus and they did it! Not men! This is very significant because God wants this Truth to carried and properly delivered which women did and are still known to do today! Get it, just like they're entrusted with carrying and properly delivering babies!

Even though I have highlighted more than enough Truth reference women being capable of the roles in the pulpit or doing anything significant with and for the Kingdom of God, there are still individuals that will stay entrenched in the philosophies of man. There are two main philosophies of man that have been used to misguide men and women. (Reminders: What did God or Christ say about women in the pulpit? & No one can limit God!)

1. The first philosophy is centered on two verses written by the Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 & 1Timothy 2:11-12. They have been interpreted by many individuals to suggest women can’t be pastors nor teach men the Word of God.

- Women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

- Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.

• Those two verses if properly researched will lead a Holy Spirit filled Believer to understand that the Apostle Paul had to make this declaration to the laws, traditions and mix of people in those specific areas. The male Believers were marrying the women of those lands and the majority of those women were new converts into Christianity and non-Jewish women. The laws of that particular land spoke of this too due to male Jews marrying non-Jewish women and this was more prominent in Ephesus (1 Timothy audience) than Corinth. Notice it was/is not in the Laws of God!!! The other reason women were to be silent in the church is because of where they were seated in the churches according to Jewish tradition (still seen today in some churches). The women (mixture of Jewish and non-Jewish women) couldn’t hear what the man of God was saying in the temple thus they would whisper seeking understanding which became distractions in the temples. Distractions in the temples were forbidden. Lastly, if those verses meant what many have been led to believe then that would also mean that women can't praise God and give Him all the glory when they're in church. "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord".

2.The second philosophy implies that man is supposed to lead the church in replication of how Christ leads the Bride and man’s role in his house. This second philosophy carries more weight than the first philosophy due to the man being created first, man naming Eve, male headship in the home, Satan targeting the Eve, and Christ coming back as a male. This second philosophy is important because although the Word says the woman is a help mate the Bride on earth will never be able to come close to being a help mate to Christ as woman can be to man on earth. Interesting!!! There is so much more to highlight in this second philosophy but we can’t allow misinterpretations to lead us from what the Word clearly says. Nothing, no man nor woman can limit God! In summary, the metaphors and analogies are good within this second philosophy but the fact is that when we are no longer in the flesh we are spiritual beings. Spiritual beings have no gender! Gender identification is mostly utilized to highlight the physical entities that complete the reproduction cycle. Notice Christ is coming back was focused on souls not genders. Where are the genders *in paradise*? Why pose such a question? The second philosophy is severely flawed because male and female eventually die but the Kingdom of God is eternal thus not capable of being replicated thus the second philosophy is dead too.

*Of very special note is Acts 18:24-26 that would suggest a contradiction but its not. It highlights women teaching a great man of God more about the Way of God! The Word never contradicts itself but individuals will contradict themselves to push their agendas thus forming their contradiction to the Word!

Now hopefully, you understand those philosophies and how they are far from the Truth because those philosophies limit God’s women. Clearly, it looks as if some would prefer women to be puppets than in the pulpit! Of greatest importance reference women in the pulpit is the fact that God and Christ Jesus warned us of false teachers but neither one of them spoke against women being in the pulpit. Interesting, right? Yes! If women were to be such a threat then why would God make promises to give and make available to His children anything their hearts desire then not keep His Word? That’s because God never said women can’t!

Furthermore, if it were true, God and Christ would’ve made it one of the Commandments.

Lastly, no one can limit God! Only God knows our plans from the beginning to the end of time.

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Isaiah 46:10 - Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.

Those two verses remind us that God knows and has planned our victories and purpose, not man. The Holy Spirit is also the one that dictates if we are to have this gift or that gift.

Ephesians 4:11 – And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.

1 Corinthians 12:11 - But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

We receive from He that created us, not man. Just because someone participates in the laying on of hands doesn’t mean they give the gifts. Just because someone participates in the laying on of hands doesn’t mean they give the gifts. Just because someone participates in the laying on of hands doesn’t mean they give the gifts. As seen in scripture, that’s the responsibility of the Holy Spirit. This also plays a role in many men refusing to lay hands on women to be pastors. Humans are merely vessels not the true distributors of spiritual gifts. Let’s rely on the Hands of God for all gifts and understanding of His Word.

If you are still cloudy in understanding this Truth please pray about it and remember that even the greatest of men have flaws and one of them is translations.

To all women, I refer you to Matthew 7:7-8,

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Amen

יהוה